Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce The Big Apple, a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

"They don’t make things like they used to” is an old lament that has had been said about many things. “They don’t make plays or do anything now like they used to” was cited in 1902. “They don’t make cigarettes like they used to” was cited in 1920.

“They don’t make things like they used to—and they never did” is a one-liner that was said by American humorist, radio personality and television host Herb Shriner (1918-1970) in 1965.

Wikipedia: Herb ShrinerHerbert Arthur “Herb” Shriner (May 29, 1918 – April 23, 1970) was an American humorist, radio personality and television host. Shriner was known for his homespun monologues, usually about his home state of Indiana. He was frequently compared to humorist Will Rogers.

3 August 1902, San Francisco (CA) Chronicle, sec. 2, pg. 5, col. 7:
It is a weakness of increasing years to think they don’t make plays or do anything now like they used to.

1 November 1920, Illinois State Register, pg. 2, col. 5 ad:
ONCE in a while we run across a man who says, “Aw, they don’t make cigarettes like they used to—one’s as good as another now-a-days.”
(Spur Cigarettes.—ed.)

19 February 1953, Times-Mirror (Warren, PA), pg. 7, col. 3 ad:
If one of those that says they don’t make things like they used to. Then these are for you.
(Betty Lee stores.—ed.)

6 August 1959, Deming (NM) Headlight, “New Mexico Chronicle” by William S. Wallace, pg. 2, col. 1:
It is commonplace these days to remark how they don’t make things “like they used to”—restaurants don’t have the cuisine “like they used to”—and so on.

3 November 1959, Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent, “On the House” by Charles House, pg. A8, col. 1:
Yes, you have said that “they don’t make things like they used to in the old days.”

26 August 1979, Sunday Times Advertiser (Trenton, NJ), “Those good old days really weren’t” by Max Israelite, pg. F1, col. 4:
Dedicated nostalgiacs are constantly saying, “They don’t make things like they used it.” Probably they never did.

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teddy pendergrass
‏@QwerkyFrancine
They don’t make things like they used to...and never did.
9:55 AM - 13 Apr 2015